Childcare for all ages

Activities, kids' clubs, babysitting and more for infants, toddlers, kids and teens

You, the reader, asked for it, so here it is – finally a list of resorts that not only welcome the whole family, but can take care of the little ones as well.

We asked resorts the following questions:· Do you have a crèche for 0-3 year olds?· Do you have another type of childcare for 0-3 year olds?· Are you able to arrange a nanny or babysitter from a reputable source? Please supply details and costs.· Do you have a kids’ club? What ages are catered for, and what is the cost?· Do you have activities or facilities for teens?

Under 3's

QLD

Novotel Rockford Palm Cove, Palm Cove, QLDCrèche/childcare services (0-3yrs): Licensed day care centre (6wks -5yrs) open Monday to Fri, 9am to 4pm, with extended days available. Cost is $35 per child for a 3 hour session. Staff members are professionally trained, obtaining a Diploma in Early Childcare.

Nanny/babysitting services: Novotel Rockford Palm Cove Resort utilises the service of the Executive Babysitting Agency to provide guests with private babysitting in the resort room. No limitation on age, and the cost is $10 booking fee thus $10 per hour there after.

Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast, QLDKids’ club: KidzCove caters for children 0-12yrs, morning sessions: 9am - 12pm, afternoon sessions: 1-4pm. Evening Parties are run on Friday & Saturday dinner + dessert for $8 per child (evening sessions run through the week during School Holidays). Fun Activities are available at Kidzcover such as climbing walls, t-shirt dye, woodcrafts, fairy house and heaps more!

Sea World Nara Resort, Gold Coast, QLDCrèche/childcare services (0-3yrs): At “Primus Playmates”, children can use our Kids’ Club facilities, however they must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times. Session times are 8am-10am, 10am-12pm, 12pm-2pm and 2pm-4pm. A fully refundable $5.00 key deposit is required. Other activities include fish feeding (daily at 9am from the Watersports jetty, free of charge) and playgrounds.

Nanny/babysitting services: The tours or concierge/porter’s desk can organise a baby-sitter/nanny through “Heaven Sent Help”. There is a maximum of five children per nanny and a maximum of three children under the age of three per nanny. There is a minimum sit of three hours (for a sit of less than three hours, the maximum rate will still apply). Prices start from $58.00 (based on three children). Price enquiries and bookings can be made at the Resort’s concierge or tours and activities desk by phoning extension 521.

Stamford Plaza, Brisbane, QLDNanny/babysitting services: Dial an Angel cares for children from infants to teenagers. There is a $61 minimum for two children ($67 for three children and $67.50 for 4 children) for three hours Monday to Saturday (2 years and under).

NSW

Murramarang Resort, near Batemans Bay, NSWNanny/babysitting services: On request, Murramarang Resort is able to arrange baby-sitters for visitors. Qualified staff members who have cleared the ‘working with children’ checks are able to offer this service. These arrangements need to be made in advance. Price is on request.

Myall Shores Resort, near Bulahdelah, NSWNanny/babysitting services: On request, Myall Shores Resort is able to arrange baby-sitters for visitors. The Myall Shores Resort staff members who operate the kids activities are qualified and have passed the ‘working with children’ checks. Price for this service is on request. Baby-sitting is also sourced from a professional baby-sitting service in the local town of Tea Gardens.

Pelican Beach Resort, Coffs Harbour, NSWCrèche/childcare services (0-3yrs): We offer childcare kids 2-5yrs during the NSW school holidays only. “Nippers” sessions are from 3pm to 10pm daily at a cost of $9.90 per child, which includes dinner. “Nippers” sessions are not available on weekends, except for during school holidays, although there is a Kids’ Club session for 5-12 year olds on weekends.

Nanny/babysitting services: Guests who require babysitting are put in touch with Mid North Coast Babysitting Services. Prices start from $15 per hour for a minimum of three hours, and over eight hours the fee increases to $20 per hour. Public holiday rates are $20 per hour for the first eight hours then $25 per hour thereafter.

International

Grand Plaza Parkroyal, Penang, MalaysiaNanny/babysitting services: Babysitting service is provided for children at a minimal charge. Maximum two children (4yrs and above) to a room at RM8.00 per hour. RM4.00 will be charged for each additional child. However, the Koko-Nut Klub will advise the number of babysitters to be employed if there are more than two children. Maximum two children (under 4yrs) to a room at RM15.00per hour. However, it is advisable to have two babysitters to ensure individual attention. Babysitting charges are to be paid directly to the babysitter. All charges are applicable for a minimum booking of two hours. An additional RM20.00 will be charged for transportation if services extended beyond 11:00pm.

Sheraton Maui, HawaiiNanny/babysitting services: We do arrange childcare for children of all ages through accredited and licensed care-provider agencies here on Maui. Prices start at $20 an hour.

Club Med (various locations)Crèche/childcare services (0-3yrs): Baby Club Med (9-23 months) and Petit Club Med (2-3yrs) available. Facilities are subject to payment at the time of booking. Places are limited and subject to availability. Children's Club are open six or seven days a week depending on the village. Days are structured with enough flexibility to allow parents to eat with their children and join in any activities they like. Baby Club Med runs from 9am-5:30pm and Petit Club Med is open 9am-5:30pm and 7:30pm-9pm. For access to the Petit Club Med, it is compulsory to obtain a medical certificate that demonstrates that the child/children are in a fit state of health deemed appropriate for participation in children's group activities. This certificate should be issued by your GP (at own expense) prior to departures, no more than 48 hours before arrival at the village.

Kids’ club: We have different kids’ clubs: Baby Club Med (9-23 months) is present in 7 villages. Petit Club Med (2-3yrs) is in 18 villages. Mini Club Med (4-10yrs) is in 44 villages. Juniors’ Club Med (11-13yrs) runs throughout the season (14 to 17 during summer holidays) in 44 villages. Children welcome from any age at most Villages. Baby club and Petit Club Med facilities are subject to payment at the time of booking. Places are limited and subject to availability. Mini Club Med and Juniors' Club Med facilities are included in your holiday package price. In Club Med Lindeman Island, children are welcome from any age. There are three different kids’ clubs. Petit Club Med (2-3 yrs), Mini Club Med (4-10yrs) and Juniors’ Club Med (11-13yrs and 14-17yrs during French school holidays).

3-12yrs

QLD

Novotel Rockford Palm Cove, Palm Cove, QLDKids’ club: Club Dolfi caters for children 5-12yrs and the cost is $25 per child for three hours of care. We also offer a family discount rate of 25% for two or more children.

Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast, QLDKids’ club: KidzCove caters for children 0-12yrs, morning sessions: 9am - 12pm, afternoon sessions: 1-4pm. Evening Parties are run on Friday & Saturday dinner + dessert for $8 per child (evening sessions run through the week during School Holidays). Fun Activities are available at Kidzcover such as climbing walls, t-shirt dye, woodcrafts, fairy house and heaps more!

Sea World Nara Resort, Gold Coast, QLDKids’ club: Yes, we do have a Kids’ Club here at the resort. We accept children between the ages of 4½-12yrs. Kids’ Club runs nightly from 5:30pm-9:00pm at a cost of $19.50 per child. The cost includes dinner, beverages (water, milk and juice), an ice-block and activities. The activities will change depending on the evening. Some examples include a pyjama party, movie night, mini Olympics, arts and crafts, sports and scavenger hunts.

Sheraton Mirage, Port Douglas, QLDThe energizing Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Kidz Club offers a variety of fun-filled activities ranging from crazy arts and crafts to extraordinary treasure hunts, allowing the kids to use their energy and get creative. Kidz Club operates regularly during the Australian School Holidays for children 4 - 12 years, dependant on demand - a minimum of two children must be registered to operate. The Kidz Club programs, outside of the Australian School Holidays, run if a minimum of four children are booked into a program, with 24 hours notice given. Kidz Club caters for children aged 5-12yrs. Younger children may attend only if accompanied by an adult.

The Kidz Club program consists of several sessions. Whole day: 9.30am - 4.00pm, $79 per child. Morning: 9:30am to 12.30pm, $38.50 per child. Lunch available for $6.50. Afternoon: 1:00pm to 4.00pm is $38.50 per child.

Discounts for 2 and 3 children are available.Bookings are essential and are required at least 24 hours prior to session.Housekeeping can arrange a babysitter at a cost to guests.

NSW

Murramarang Resort, near Batemans Bay, NSWKids’ club: Murramarang Resort has a kids club called EcoKids. EcoKids offers a wide range of dry-land and water-based activities for kids, including, arts and crafts, guided bushwalks, damper making in the outdoors and team games. Pool games, volleyball competitions and platform walks on the rocks. In the evening the entertainment continues with dance parties, karaoke, movie nights and the highlight being the guided spotlighting walks that take kids through the bush at night to spot animals such as kangaroos, echidnas and wallabies. EcoKids is fully operational during school holidays, with a modified program at other times. Activities are mostly free. The evening disco has a small charge, which includes drinks and food.

Myall Shores Resort, near Bulahdelah, NSWKids’ club: Myall Shores Resort offers a vast range of kids’ activities. During the day, activities on offer include arts and crafts, guided bushwalks, damper making in the outdoors and team games. There are activities on dry land in water-based. In the evenings, the entertainment continues with dance parties, karaoke, movie nights and the highlight being the guided spotlighting walks that take kids through the bush at night to spot animals such as kangaroos, echidnas and wallabies. The kids activity program is fully operational during the school holidays. Outside of school holidays a modified activities program still operates. Activities are mostly free. The evening disco has a small charge, which includes drinks and food.

Pelican Beach Resort, Coffs Harbour, NSWKids’ club: Kids’ Club for 5-12 year olds operates every Saturday and during NSW school holidays. Hours are 3pm to 10pm, at a cost of $9.90 per child, which includes dinner.

International

Grand Plaza Parkroyal, Penang, MalaysiaKids’ club: The kids’ club’s educational and fun activities will ensure that every child leaves the hotel with happy memories. Koko-Nut Klub is open from 9:00am to 9:00pm (Sunday to Thursday) and 9:00am to 11:00pm (Friday and Saturday), and is free of charge for children aged 4-12yrs. Koko-Nut Klub is open only for registered in-house guests. At the Grand Plaza Parkroyal, Penang, the Koko-Nut Klub offers daily children’s fun-packed activities, games, a video room and a fully enclosed play area to keep young ones occupied while parents can have some time off for themselves during their holiday. Outdoor games are also available at the Splash Lagoon pool with the awesome 70-foot long waterslide.

Sheraton Maui, HawaiiKids’ club: Sheraton Maui partners with our sister property, The Westin Maui, to provide an enriching cultural experience for children 5-12yrs. Keiki Kamp is offered daily from 9am - 3pm with night classes also available. Price per child is $45 and $35 for each additional child. Keiki Kamp offers children a variety of activities and experiences including lei making and coconut weaving. Here at Sheraton Maui, we offer a Keiki Hula experience where children (mostly little girls, but boys are also welcome) learn to dance hula alongside local kids. In addition to being a great cultural activity, guest children have the opportunity to interact with local keiki, which makes the experience quite unique. We offer this experience free of charge on Tuesdays for one hour beginning at 3:30pm.

Various locations/Chains

Club Med (various locations)Kids’ club: We have different kids’ clubs: Baby Club Med (9-23 months) is present in 7 villages. Petit Club Med (2-3yrs) is in 18 villages. Mini Club Med (4-10yrs) is in 44 villages. Juniors’ Club Med (11-13yrs) runs throughout the season (14 to 17 during summer holidays) in 44 villages. Children welcome from any age at most Villages. Baby club and Petit Club Med facilities are subject to payment at the time of booking. Places are limited and subject to availability. Mini Club Med and Juniors' Club Med facilities are included in your holiday package price. In Club Med Lindeman Island, children are welcome from any age. There are three different kids’ clubs. Petit Club Med (2-3 yrs), Mini Club Med (4-10yrs) and Juniors’ Club Med (11-13yrs and 14-17yrs during French school holidays).

Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast, QLDKids’ club: KidzCove caters for children 0-12yrs, morning sessions: 9am - 12pm, afternoon sessions: 1-4pm. Evening Parties are run on Friday & Saturday dinner + dessert for $8 per child (evening sessions run through the week during School Holidays). Fun Activities are available at Kidzcover such as climbing walls, t-shirt dye, woodcrafts, fairy house and heaps more!

Sea World Nara Resort, Gold Coast, QLDActivities for teens: Water sports activities include wave runners, speedboat rides, kayak and dinghy hire, speedboat cruises, parasailing, water-skiing, banana boat rides and fishing charters. Prices and bookings can be made by phoning Watersports on extension 585. Water Polo is held Saturdays in the resort pool from 2:30pm. Pool Volleyball is held Sundays in the resort pool from 2:30pm. Tennis is available for $11.00 (includes four racquets and balls) plus a fully refundable $5.00 key deposit. Also available are badminton, table tennis, volleyball, pool tables, Monorail access to Sea World (upon presentation of Sea World tickets), Playstation hire and the Intencity games room (charges apply).

Stamford Plaza, Brisbane, QLDActivities for teens: The Hotel offers a swimming pool and bicycle hire at $15 per hour, with walking paths and cycling tracks at the adjacent Botanic Gardens. A dedicated concierge desk also provides comprehensive information on a number of appropriate activities for young families to enjoy throughout Brisbane.

NSW

Murramarang Resort, near Batemans Bay, NSWActivities for teens: Kids activities are also suitable for teens, with slight adaptations. Movie nights are offered for teens and there is a wide variety of sport and leisure activities to suit this age group and their needs.

Myall Shores Resort, near Bulahdelah, NSWActivities for teens: Kids activities are also suitable for teens, with slight adaptations. Movie nights are offered for teens and there is a wide variety of sport and leisure activities to suit this age group and their interests.

Sheraton Maui, HawaiiActivities for teens: Our location at Black Rock on Kaanapali Beach makes for lots of fun water and beach activity including snorkeling, scuba, boogie boarding and beach volleyball. We also offer a new scuba diving program in our pool for kids. Led by our professional dive instructors, the Junior Bubble Makers Class is perfect for children of 8 years and older. Kids learn to scuba and the importance of safety in a fun and safe pool environment. Activities include a treasure hunt where kids search for treasure along the rock walls of our lagoon pool.

Club Med (various locations)Activities for teens: All children and teenagers Clubs are supervised by fully qualified G.O.s and provide parties, discos, shows, art, music, magic, circus skills and sport. So all children, regardless of age, can get involved and thoroughly enjoy themselves. Equipment is specially adapted to fit the different age groups. But no matter how old children are they’re sure to meet children of a similar age from many different countries and make new friends, all of which will give them plenty of exciting experiences.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list of resorts that offer childcare. If your property is not on this list and you would like it considered for inclusion, please email info@signaturemedia.com.au and answer the questions listed at the top of this page.